The news of India Montgomery’s return to Kingsport went off like a bomb from the parlors of the great houses to the coffee shops on Main Street. Everyone knew she was beautiful. Everyone knew she was selfish. Everyone knew she was an enigma. Despite all of the monikers, few people knew India. She’d spent most of her childhood sequestered on the Montgomery Estate until she was enrolled in boarding school. While everyone wanted to know her, those who did were always uneasy, always cautious, and always on guard. However, the one person who saw the good in India Montgomery was her father, Charles. For Charles, his little girl was merely misunderstood by the rest of the world. She was perfect, yet flawed, like a diamond.
As Charles surveyed the dining room in preparation for tonight’s family dinner, India walked into the room, threw her arms around her father’s neck, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You look wonderful, India.”
India ran her hands along her black couture dress. “I feel so old!” laughed India. “It’s been a long few days. I do hope Chef’s food will be up the scratch.”
“Chef has been working very hard, India. It’ll be wonderful.” Charles cleared his throat as he said, “Billy is bringing Connor to dinner.”
India’s eyes narrowed with marked fury. “No…”
“India, they’re dating…”
“I don’t care!” she screamed. “Connor is an awful person who tried to…”
Charles held up a definitive hand. “India, please. No charges were ever filed. No evidence was ever found.”
India turned away from her father, her face placid, but her mind filled with seething rage. “Daddy, it’s not fair. I wish someone would have told Billy not to see that awful man. Connor almost ruined my life.” Tears began to stream down her face. “It’s not fair, Daddy.”
Charles gave his daughter a tight hug. “Billy and Connor love each other. There’s nothing I can do about it, India. I think you and Connor need to avoid each other as much as possible in order to bury the past.”
“I can’t forget what he did to me, Daddy,” muttered India.
“He says he didn’t do it…”
“Men always say that. I wish someone would believe me.”
Charles sighed quietly. No matter how much he loved and adored his daughter, he was all too aware of her tortured past. Every exam was done and investigators were called in to look into India’s claims against Connor, but no proof ever came to light. Charles hated to think that his daughter was lying, but he knew she had form, which was why she left boarding school early… “India, the family will be here soon. Let’s try to get along.”
Warren Montgomery stepped into the foyer of the main house as Jacques, the butler, took his coat along with those of his wife, Jill, and daughters, Hannah and Kate. He took Jill’s hand as the girls ran off to the kitchen for Chef’s famous chocolate chip cookies. “We’re leaving after dessert,” Warren whispered to Jill.
Jill laughed. After ten years of marriage to Warren, she was still amused by how much he seemed to be uneasy around his family. The only person in Warren’s family that Warren liked was Will, but Jill couldn’t stand Will. She hated everything about him. “Warren, try to be nice. India is back in town for the first time in years.”
“Jill, I only came tonight because you insisted. I have a lawsuit to prepare for the end of the week.”
“You always have an excuse,” trilled Jill.
They walked into the dining room to find Will, Charles, and India having a drink by the fireplace. “Starting early?” cracked Warren to Will.
“It’s necessary,” Will whispered to his brother. “You look nice, Jill.”
Jill gave Will a tight smile as she wandered to the other side of the dining room.
“Still not a fan of mine, is she,” asked Will.
Warren groaned. “Just ignore her. She’s harmless.” Warren walked over to India and gave her a light, somewhat cautious hug. “It’s nice to see you, sis.”
India smiled lightly. “You haven’t changed at all, Warren. More gray hair, but I suppose that look is in this season.”
“It’s just age. Nothing more,” replied Warren.
“When are they serving dinner? I’m famished,” Jill asked Charles.
“We’re waiting for one more guest,” Charles told his daughter-in-law.
Jill gave Charles a curious stare. “Alison’s joining us…?”
Charles finished his martini as he waved to a member of staff to bring him another one. “Dr. Connor Windsor.”
Jill scrunched up her nose. She’d known Connor for years and while she found him endlessly attractive, she also found him to be a self-righteous snob. They’d had an affair years ago before she dated Warren, but a part of Jill Stanhope Montgomery longed to feel his skin against hers…his mouth on hers…him entering her over and over again… “I didn’t think anyone in this family was on good terms with Connor…”
“That’s why my ears are burning. I hope you’re not speaking my name in vain,” said Connor as he walked past Jill and Charles.
“I was only telling Charles that I thought you were persona non grata with the family,” stated Jill.
Connor walked over to Will, kissed him, and stared at Jill. “I’m here with the man I love. I hope that’s all right with everyone.”
Jill stared at Connor with mounting disbelief. “You’re not gay!”
“I don’t believe in labels. I love Will.”
“He loved me a whole lot this morning,” joked Will.
“Billy…” Charles droned with a shake of his head.
Warren held up a tumbler of scotch. “I think it’s great that Billy and Connor have found each other. To the happy couple!”
India raised her glass of champagne as fury raged through her. She knew that now was the time to figure out a way to get Connor to herself, no matter what. “I need another drink,” she cried to no one in particular.
Moments later, Barbara appeared with a fresh tray of champagne. She took the empty one as India swiped a new one and glared at Barbara. “Took you long enough,” snapped India.
Barbara slunk into the shadows with the other members of staff as she watched the great Montgomery family sit down at an elegantly laid table for a six-course dinner. She imagined herself in one of those seats… She could see herself eating lobster, drinking champagne, nibbling on caviar… However, all she could think about were her sore feet, swollen ankles, and itchy black uniform she had to wear tonight. Even though she was on the clock, Barbara knew that as long as she could weather the next year or so, she would be just fine.
“Warren, I want to talk to you about Billy and Connor,” said Jill. She climbed into bed and cuddled against Warren’s perfectly defined chest. “I don’t think it’s right.”
“What?” Warren said, half asleep.
“That Billy and Connor are so…open…with their relationship. Connor isn’t gay!”
“He’s gay with Billy,” chuckled Warren.
“I think Connor is doing this for attention.”
“It’s none of our business.”
“I don’t want the girls exposed to Billy and Connor being intimate with each other. They kissed several times tonight!”
Warren sat up with a stern look on his face. “Listen to me, Jill: Billy is my brother. I will not hear you say another word against him. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”
“Warren…”
“I won’t say it again, Jill. Good night.” With that, Warren rolled over and fell fast asleep.
Sleep wouldn’t come for Jill. Her mind raced as the clock rang in a new day. She wanted nothing more than to scream. Every fiber of her being wanted to be with Connor. Even after all of these years, he was the man Jill wanted beside her. If she couldn’t have him again, she had her memories. Jill closed her hands, guided her hand towards her aching vagina, and masturbated to the man she had once loved…Dr. Connor Windsor…the man who was now in love with her brother-in-law… As Jill climaxed, she drifted off to sleep and slept better than she had in years…
In our next installment, Lisa lets a secret slip…
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